Expert system for thripsmanagement in grape crop

This paper presents the development of a rule based expert system for the management of Thrips pest in grape crop. Thrips are very important insect pests. In Maharashtra, it occurs throughout year and their management is very crucial during flowering and berry setting period (i.e. during the month of November to December). This system will help the grape growers, agricultural experts and professional to control or manage the attack of thrips in grape crop throughout its various life cycle stages. On the basis of information like crop period, whether pruning is foundation or forward pruning and appearance of infection of thrips etc, this system suggests various preventive measures and different pesticide treatments.